10 October 2004
James Milner post-match exclusive

Peter Taylor post-match exclusive

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Despite a difficult first 45, Milner struck his first ever England Under-21 goal just after the break to settle England before Darren Bent secured victory with 17 minutes left. 

Taylor was pleased with the win, which sees them retain a 100% record in the European U21 Championship Qualifiers, but was a little disappointed with his team's first-half display. 

"It was good and bad," said Taylor.

"It was a poor first-half but, give Wales credit, they passed the ball very well and had extra bodies in the middle of the park.  They did very well.

"In the second-half we got the goal early on, which relaxed the players. I thought we played very well."

He was also delighted to see Milner's name on the scoresheet. 

"He's a very exciting talent. He had a very good second-half and scored a very important goal for us. He seems older than what he is. He's a tremendous talent.

Taylor added: "His goal relaxed the players and they played with a bit more confidence."

Milner himself was pleased to find the back of the net and settle England after a less than average opening.

The 18-year-old Newcastle United midfielder said: "We were disappointed with the first-half, we know we can play a lot better, but we managed to grind out a result."

And it was Milner who got broke the dead-lock.

"I've mis-controlled it but we've won it back. Penno [Jermaine Pennant] knocked a fantastic ball through, and if I'd have missed Penno would have had something to say about it.

"But it was a good goal and it got us off to a great start. We held on to the lead and the most impiortant thing is we kept a clean sheet."

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